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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1953, 9 August 1869, Page 2

The English Mail.— Thellaugitoto, with tho English Mail on board, may bo looked for at Hokitika at an early hour to-morrow morning.

On Dit.—lt is expected Mr Commissioner Brannigan will leave Wellington for Otago, on Thursday. Customs’ Duties.—To-day the large amount of L 2.453 2s Id was received at the Custom House on goods cleared for consumption. We believe this is the largest amount that has been received in one day for many months.

Superintendency of Auckland. — Mr Maokay has informed the Shorlland Times that he has finally resolved upon not offering himself as a candidate at the next Superintendency election. It is stated that should Dr Pollen arrive at a similar resolution, it is tho intention of Mr Buckland to come forward.

Literature. The Evangelist for August, a copy of which we have received, contains No. 4 of “The Goldfields in their Religious Aspects,” tho article being specially devoted to the consideration of religious effort in the Mount Bengor district. The special articles, poetry, and general intelligence, are more than usually attractive.

Political.— Several now Bills liave been introduced in the Assembly, amongst them being one to amend the law of copyright, and another to rogu ate the licensing sharebrokers. A Bill, empowering .-hipowners to land goods not claimed by a c nsiguce, and to render such goods liable for freight charges, has been read a second time.

Westland Council.—Tho Westland Council was opened by the Chairman on the

14th ult. The Chairman, in the course of h’S address, said that, although the population of the county had somewhat diminished, he thought there need he no apprehension of a fa ther decrease. The revenue for the past half-year had nearly reached the estimate made of it, except the land revenue, which had fa'leu very short through the unsatisfactoiy land act in operation in the county.

Meeting.— At the Athenreum, this afternoon, a numerously-attended meeting of t'no legal profession took place to consider the propositions now before the Legislature to admit Resident Magistrates, under certain conditions, to practice at the New Zealand Bar. Mr Cook was elected chairman.. Resolutions were passed condemning the measure as calculated to be “derogatory to the independence of the Bench,” to ignore professional training as preparatory to the practice of the legal profession, and to deprive the public of the opportunity of learning their fitness for professional duties, especially as connected with questions affecting real property and testamentary affairs. It was resolved to petition both Houses of the Legislature, and to request the Houorables Messrs Domett and Fenton in the Legislative Council, and Mr H. Howorth, M.H.R. in the house of Representatives, to lend their aid in the matter.

A Presentation. — On Friday evening, the second anniversary of Mr A. G. Martin’s commencement of conducting the musical portion of the Volunteer BattaLou Band, the Band was drawn up at the (Octagon, and played several airs in very good stylo. They then adjourned to Ware’s Australian Hotel, Princes street, where refreshments were provided, and Captain and Adjutant Atkinson, on behalf of the Band, presented Mr Martin with a valuable signet ring, ns a token of their appreciation of his professional services.—Mr Martin, in thanking the Band for their handsome present, said that, as a rule, it was difficult to keep musicians together so as to attain proticiency ; but the Band over which he presided* had worked most harmoniously, and had attdned a deg ee of efficiency as instrumentalists that would compare favorably with many military bauds in Her Majesty’s service. The health of the officers and members of the Band G mmittee, coupled with that of Colonel Cargill, was drank with three times three. Captain Atkinson responded, and expressed regret that Colonel Cargill and the other members of the Band Committee wore not present ; their absence, however, was unavoidable. The Committee had had very up-hill work ; but they had acted throughout with great unanimity, and had succeeded in working off nearly L3OO of liabilities wh ch stood to the debit of the Band three years ago ; and now there was a fund of L7G in hand. This was the more encouraging, as L2OO had been expended on uniform, and L3O in musical instruments and music paper. Captain M’Farland, as treasurer, and Captain Staveley, in conjunction with Captain Atkinson, had much exerted themselves, and done their utmost to place the Band I?und in its present healthy position. To them much was (.wing. He trusted the Band would progress in musical attainments during the next twelve months than they had done during the past year. Several songs were given, and the Band spent a very pleasant evening together.